IIT-Khargapur professor drowns trying save his son

Kolkata Aug 27 (IANS) A professor of Indian Institute of Technology-Khargapur died trying to save his four-year-old son from drowning at a rain-filled mine on Sunday afternoon police said.

"Joydeep Bhattacharya a professor of Khargapur IIT died by drowning in a mine filled with rainwater near the university in Khargapur at around 12 p.m. on Sunday. His body has been recovered and sent for autopsy " said an officer from Khargapur local police station.

Bhattacharya a professor of oceanography at the institute went out for a ride with his son and daughter to Kharagpur s Gholgeria where the accident happened.

According to witnesses the son accidentally fell into the water while clicking a selfie on his dad s cell phone and Bhattacharya jumped in to save him.

"The child was recovered alive by the locals but Bhattacharya could not be saved from drowning " the officer said.

"The son has been released after first aid. Both the kids have been sent back to their home. They are in shock " he added.

--IANS
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